NAMI Moves to New National Headquarters

Arlington, VA --- NAMI, formerly the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, is moving its headquarters to larger offices in Arlington, Virginia, located at Colonial Place Three, 2107 Wilson Blvd, Suite 300. NAMI will open its new location Monday, January 10, 2000.

"This move symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter in NAMI's 20-year history of providing a community of hope for those directly affected by severe mental illnesses," said Laurie Flynn, NAMI executive director. "NAMI enters the 21st century determined to finally build a healthcare system that will ensure, not impede, recovery for persons with severe mental illnesses."

NAMI has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and now has more than 210,000 consumer and family members throughout the country and 1,200 state organizations and local affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and Canada. In 1979, 284 individuals founded the organization in Madison, Wisconsin. NAMI is now the nation's largest grassroots advocacy organization solely dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with severe mental illnesses and their families.

In its new location, NAMI will continue to serve the millions of Americans affected by severe mental illnesses and their families through a wide range of education, support and advocacy services, including the toll-free NAMI HelpLine (1-800-950-NAMI), the Family-to-Family Education Program, the Living with Schizophrenia and Other Mental Illnesses program, and its award-winning Web site at www.nami.org. NAMI's advocacy efforts will continue to focus on eliminating discrimination toward people with severe mental illnesses and their families.

"The NAMI family has changed in exciting ways since our early days," said Flynn. "The ever-increasing number of consumers, who now represent as much as 30 percent of NAMI's overall membership, is a source of great pride for us - and the best evidence that recovery from mental illness is possible. We will continue to reach out directly to those with serious brain disorders of all ages to empower them and their families with the information and resources they need to reclaim full, productive lives."